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Collin Bullard: Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1-7)
Collin Bullard, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Longview, focused his sermon on one of the “background characters” in the Christmas story—Caesar Augustus. Though the name of the most powerful human being of the time appears only once in the biblical narrative—Luke 2:1—the details of his family and reign provide essential background to understanding Jesus’ birth.
What might seem a random set of events, Luke set together as integral to God’s divine purpose. The story demonstrates even the most powerful people in the world are players in God’s purpose. The great Caesar Augustus is little more than a footnote in the story of Jesus’ birth.
What might seem unexpected and unwelcome news also is part of God’s divine purpose. The news Mary received from the angel changed the trajectory of her and Joseph’s life forever. Just as God’s “grand design” of love was at work then, God’s grand design is working in the unexpected and unwelcome news today.
This sermon was delivered during the morning worship services Dec. 19, 2021, at First Baptist Church in Longview. It is part of a series titled “The Characters of Christmas.”
The black screen following the end of the Scripture reading was the result of a video feed error.
A sermon manuscript is available here.
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